Welcome to the Orchard of England
Prepare to honour the apple
43 mins
Known historically as the Orchard of England, Herefordshire is apple country. Sat in the middle is the ancient market town of Leominster, where people have been growing, picking, eating, stealing, throwing, pressing, cooking, and honouring apples for many generations. This heritage film brings together a wide-ranging and eccentric cast of local people – farmers, Travellers, former apple-pickers, clergymen, wassailers, cider makers, fruit sellers – to explore the deep relationship between the people of this area and its historic crop. Part portrait of a fading way of life, part celebration of how a living culture continues to manifest itself, the film raises deep questions about human nature. Expect games, pies, dancing, petty crime, and varieties of apple beyond your most delirious dreams. Prepare to honour the apple. This film was made possible with the support of the UK's National Lottery Heritage Fund, Leominster Town Council and Leominster Cultural Consortium.
Louis Norris
Director
Hilary Lyon
Producer
Jonathan Ben-Shaul
Assistant Director
Jonathan Ben-Shaul
Production Design
Jonathan Ben-Shaul
Choreographer
Louis Norris
Editor
Louis Norris
Co-Producer
Louis Norris
Director of Photography
Hilary Lyon
Story